Purulent Pleurisy (^Empyema) in Dogs. 345 



brown, chocolate, or coffee grounds color, and extensive, loose 

 coagula of the same shades. The liquid contains flocculi, 

 granules, and debris which falls to the bottom when allowed 

 to settle in a bottle. The affected portion of the lung is in- 

 filtrated, consolidated, grayish, greenish or brown, and easily 

 broken down under the finger. In simple penetrating wounds 

 the effusion is white or yellow and in small amount. In tubercle 

 or cancer these morbid conditions are easily detected on the 

 surface of the lung or elsewhere. 



Symptoms. Fever runs high, the temperature rising to 105° P. 

 but subject to marked fluctuations. Pulse is rapid, breathing 

 difficult, animal dull, weak and prostrate and the objective signs 

 indicate a lower collection of liquid effusion with a resonance 

 showing a formation of gas above. The chest walls are dilated 

 on one side or both, and extremely tender to touch or percussion, 

 the back is arched and the abdomen often tympanitic. Retching 

 or even vomiting is to be looked for. The primary trouble, 

 wound, choking or inhalation, will often complete the diagnosis. 

 If not, a fine exploring needle passed into the chest, will show 

 the nature of the contained fluid, creamy white, or dark brown 

 or green and foetid. 



Prognosis. From inhalation-infection this is very fatal, but 

 from a simple wound of the chest wall recovery may be hoped 

 for, the resistance to pus infection being greater in the dog than 

 in the larger herbivora, though less than in the pig. 



Treatment. In case of external wounds probe and if necessary 

 open a free exit for any pus ; use disinfectants as injections or 

 on sterilized cotton, in case of abscess make an early free opening 

 so that discharge will be unimpeded, and inject antiseptics. In 

 case the pleural sac is filled with septico-purulent fluid, and in 

 the absence of irremediable and fatal lesions of other kinds in the 

 chest, draw off the liquid by aspirator or trochar and cannula 

 with all due antiseptic precautions, and irrigate the cavity with 

 a saturated solution of Salicylic acid or a three per cent solution 

 of boric acid, or again it might be completed with a weak ( i :2ooo) 

 solution of pyok'tanin. Absolute cleanliness, pure air and gener- 

 ous feeding are important. Quinia or strychnia may be given in 

 form of pill, and small doses {}i grain) of calcium sulphide may 

 be given several times a day. 



